Total change in entropy, what am I missing?

[asdf188]

A 20.0 -kg box having an initial speed of 1.0 m/s slides along a rough table and comes to rest.
Estimate the total change in entropy of the universe. Assume all objects are at room temperature (293 K).

I don't understand how to answer this problem. It feels like I wasn't given enough information to solve for Delta S.

 

[Andrew Mason]

A 20.0 -kg box having an initial speed of 1.0 m/s slides along a rough table and comes to rest.
Estimate the total change in entropy of the universe. Assume all objects are at room temperature (293 K).

I don't understand how to answer this problem. It feels like I wasn't given enough information to solve for Delta S.

Assume that the kinetic energy of the box is dissipated as heat and that this heat is absorbed by the table and room at a constant temperature (ie the temperature of the table and room does not change).

Hint: Since the box does not lose any heat, there is 0 change in the entropy of the box. However, the table gains heat.

AM

 

[thomate1]

To calculate the total change in entropy, we need to consider the entropy changes of both the box and the table. The box has an initial kinetic energy due to its motion, but as it slides along the rough table, it will experience friction and lose some of that energy. This energy is converted into heat, which increases the entropy of the box and the table. Additionally, the box and the table will also experience a decrease in temperature as they come to rest, which will also contribute to an increase in entropy.

To calculate the exact change in entropy, we would need to know the specific heat capacities and masses of both the box and the table, as well as the coefficient of friction between them. We would also need to consider the surroundings and any energy exchanges with them.

In general, the total change in entropy of the universe can be calculated by considering all energy transfers and transformations within the system, as well as any energy exchanges with the surroundings. Without this information, it is not possible to accurately estimate the total change in entropy in this scenario.